Judah is free to go home & rebuild the Temple of God (Ezra 1: 1-4)

Years ago, the LORD sent Jeremiah with a message about a promise for the people of Israel. Then in the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD kept his promise by having Cyrus send this official message to all parts of his kingdom: I am King Cyrus of Persia. The LORD God of heaven, who is also the God of Israel, has made me the ruler of all the nations on earth. And he has chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The LORD God will watch over and encourage any of his people who want to go back to Jerusalem and help build the temple. Everyone else must provide what is needed. They must give money, supplies, and animals, as well as gifts for rebuilding God's Temple. The prophecy of Jeremiah called for a seventy year captivity which was originally in Babylon. In this time, Babylon was overtaken by Persia which is modern day Iran. It was their king who was used by God as his servant to make an official proclamation to fulfill the word of Jeremiah concerning the exile. Now this Persian king is crediting God Almighty for the authority given to him and is making way for God's people to return at the expense of his kingdom. Daily Prayer: Father, this is another example of your faithfulness to your people. You no longer chose to remember my sins, but you remember your promises for a thousand generations. What has happened to Persia (Iran) where they no longer remember being used by you and in my day have turned against you and your people? Bring them to repentance I pray in Jesus name Amen.